It is about 305 mm (12 in) long with brightly colored feathers. It is the largest of the Australian lorikeets.[3] The head and the face are blue, and it has an orange to red chest which narrows to a thin colored band around the neck, like a collar. Its wings and tail are green, with some yellow tips on the feathers. The feathers on its abdomen are dark blue to black. It has a red beak, and grey to brown legs and feet. The female is the same as the male but smaller.[2] They can live up to 15 years.[4]

The bird is nomadic and moves about in large flocks. They feed on eucalyptus flowers, as well as nectar from other flowering plants such as grevilleas, and seeds from grass trees.[3] It is described as being a restless and noisy bird, making a shrill shrieking noise when flying. It builds nests in hollows in eucalyptus trees, usually near a creek. They lay two dull white eggs in the breeding season from May to December.[2]